Investing with Biblical Principles and Wisdom from Renowned Investors
Limitless Capital Management: Investing with Biblical Principles and Wisdom from Renowned Investors
In ancient Egypt, the heart was believed to record all the deeds of a person’s life, serving as the key to judgment in the afterlife. When someone died, their heart was weighed against the feather of Ma'at, the goddess of truth and justice. A balanced heart, free from the weight of negative thoughts and actions, granted access to eternal paradise. This profound concept underscores the power of living a life rooted in gratitude and positivity, which can also be a guiding principle in the world of investing.
Begin with Gratitude
Starting your day with gratitude can profoundly impact your investment journey. Acknowledging the goodness of God and all He has provided for our well-being, prosperity, and success can create a mindset of abundance and positivity. This practice mirrors the childlike faith in a parent’s provision, trusting in God's wisdom even when it surpasses our understanding.
Reflecting on whether we are prepared for what we ask is essential. Have we made room for God’s blessings, or do we only seek His gifts without embracing the deeper sustenance He offers? God promises to pour out blessings so abundant that we won't have room to receive them (Malachi 3:10). He wishes for us to prosper and be in good health, even as our souls prosper (3 John 1:2). To increase our blessings, we must first expand our souls' capacity, managing our lives wisely to retain the gifts we receive.
As Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors of all time, says, "The more you learn, the more you'll earn." Learning and preparing ourselves for God's blessings can be seen as an investment in our future prosperity.
The Timing of Blessings
As parents know, giving a child something beneficial at the wrong time can be harmful. Timing and season are everything in life. Are you asking for something from God that you are not ready for? Is your request out of season? Jesus said, "Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him" (Matthew 6:8), yet He instructs us to pray for our needs. Continuous prayer aligns us with God's will, helping us stand firm against adversities (Ephesians 6:18) and find peace (Philippians 4:6-7). Praying with thanksgiving chases away worries and fills our hearts and minds with God's peace.
Legendary investor Peter Lynch once said, "The key to making money in stocks is not to get scared out of them." Patience and timing are crucial in both investing and receiving God's blessings.
Trusting in God's Plan
God wants us to live by discernment—revelation knowledge, not head knowledge. Trusting God often means not knowing how or when He will accomplish what needs to be done. We say God is never late, but He isn't early either. He uses times of waiting to stretch our faith and bring about growth and change in our lives.
Warren Buffett also advises, "The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient." Trusting in God's timing and plan can help us remain patient and steadfast in our investment strategies.
Waiting with Patience
We spend much time waiting because change is a process. Many desire change but resist the waiting process. Waiting is inevitable; the question is whether we wait the wrong way or the right way. If we wait the wrong way, we'll be miserable; if we wait God's way, we can develop patience and enjoy the wait. Patience, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), is produced under trial. We must not run from difficult situations. James 1:4 encourages us to let patience have its perfect work so we may be complete, lacking nothing.
Patience in investing is crucial. As Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett’s business partner, famously said, "The big money is not in the buying and selling, but in the waiting."
Accepting God's Timing
God gives us hopes and dreams but doesn't always reveal the timing of His plan. This often keeps us in the program, trusting His timing and living in hope. Joseph, in Genesis, waited many years for his dream's fulfillment, enduring false accusations and imprisonment. The Israelites took the longer route to the Promised Land because they weren't ready to enter it. Similarly, God's timing in our lives involves training and preparation. We must follow His lead without questioning or trying to figure everything out.
Howard Marks, a renowned investor, highlights the importance of timing in investing: "You can’t predict. You can prepare."
Learning to Rely on God
Proverbs 16:9 tells us, "A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure." When God directs our paths, He sometimes leads us in ways that don't make sense. Trying to reason everything out leads to struggle, confusion, and misery. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not rely on our understanding. Trusting God with our lives brings peace and fulfillment. Psalm 31:14-15 reminds us to trust God, acknowledging that our times are in His hands.
Benjamin Graham, known as the father of value investing, once said, "The individual investor should act consistently as an investor and not as a speculator." Relying on a well-thought-out plan rather than fleeting market trends can be akin to trusting in God's direction.
From Seedtime to Harvest
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "To everything, there is a season and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven." We must trust that God is doing the best for us in our current season. Each time we choose God's will over our own, we plant seeds that will eventually bring a harvest. James 1:21 tells us to humbly accept the Word planted in our hearts, which has the power to save our souls.
After planting seeds of obedience, we may feel like nothing is happening, but much is taking place underground. In time, our obedience becomes visible manifestations of God's blessings. Harvest time brings the desires of our hearts to fruition, breaking bondages and fulfilling dreams. Prosperity, favor, and promotion become evident, and joy and calm delight become our norm.
John Templeton, a pioneer in mutual funds, emphasized, "For those properly prepared, the bear market is not only a calamity but an opportunity." Planting seeds and waiting patiently can lead to fruitful returns, both in investments and in spiritual growth.
Trusting God's Perfect Timing
Are you tired of waiting for your harvest? God's timing is often a mystery, but He promises not to be late. Habakkuk 2:3 assures us that God's vision will come to pass at the right time. Trust in His perfect timing and let His radical blessings unfold. The more you trust Jesus and keep your eyes on Him, the more life you'll have. Trusting God brings life and rest. So, stop trying to figure everything out and let God be God.
Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, once said, "He who lives by the crystal ball will eat shattered glass." Trusting in a long-term plan rather than trying to predict short-term movements is crucial for both investors and those seeking God's blessings.
At Limitless Capital Management, we believe that integrating these timeless biblical principles with the wisdom of renowned investors can guide you toward financial prosperity and a fulfilling life. Embrace gratitude, trust in God’s timing, and patiently wait for the harvest. Your financial and spiritual investments will flourish, leading to a life of abundance and peace.